Lewis Hamilton says he wouldn’t have backed out of his scrap with Charles Leclerc at the Italian GP and the set”could have collided” – when he wasn’t pursuing a sixth Formula 1 title.
The Mercedes motorist was thrown off the track and needed to cut across the region to prevent contact and the pair went wheel-to-wheel approaching the chicane, although hamilton was hunting down race-winner Leclerc for much of Grand Prix enthralling.
Hamilton queries judgment
FIA explain Leclerc’yellow card’
An accident would probably have ruined both drivers’ races, and Mercedes manager Toto Wolff asserted that Hamilton”had been instrumental rather than making it an episode”.
But asked if he’d have done anything differently if the F1 2019 championship was solved, Hamilton admitted:”I would not have moved. We’d have ”
Hamilton is 63 points ahead of closest challenger Valtteri Bottas using seven races remaining as he seems to become the second driver in F1 history together with six crowns.
“The driver that goes to the Drivers’ Championship stored Charles and saved himself,” added Wolff, who believed Leclerc’s moves were”maybe on the line”.
“Lewis knew exactly what he was doing, he didn’t lose any bits or parts in that episode, but he would have equally decided,’I’m not going to let this happen’, and set the 2 cars out.”
Hamilton looking forward to struggles that are Leclerc
Hamilton contested the stewards’ decision to not inflict a brand new penalty on Leclerc and labelled the driving because”reckless” on team radio – but later insisted that he had no issue with”among the very respectful drivers” in Leclerc.
“There is not any absence of respect,” Hamilton told reporters. “We don’t have a issue, we are not in a struggle, I congratulated him once he got out of the vehicle.
“Charles is among the very respectful motorists. This is the first time that I have gone wheel-to-wheel with him, and using a driver, you understand how they approach scenarios and possibly position your vehicle differently next time. Maybe I’ll do a much better job next time.”
Hamilton continued:”There is zero issue with people he did an outstanding job and I don’t have any issue with this, it’s what it is.
“I haven’t spoken to him and we do not have a issue but if we get an instant together we might talk, just reverse functions and make certain that he is cool that when I am in that position and that happens and that is cool and that’s how we are rushing.
“From what I understand going into the race you are supposed to make a difference, I don’t know if that’s the case. But it’s great that we can race hard and today was a difficult battle which is good.
“We’ll continue to race and I’m looking forward to a lot more races ”
Hamilton glad to’race such as that’
Leclerc has been handed the black-and-white flag by race stewards, F1’s version of a’yellow card’, and Wolff said he believes that rule will create contact between the drivers”common practice”.
But when it came to rules and penalties, while Hamilton called for consistency, he said he is pleased to race hard.
“If that is the way we’re allowed to race then I will race like this,” he stated. “As long as we understand that you’re allowed not to leave a car width for instance, as long as you aren’t contradicting us and there is a very clear message.
“So you’re permitted to run broad even if someone is there and you only receive a warning sign, and you simply require that after to potentially maintain the guy behind you.
“As long as it is apparent that that’s how moving ahead it is fine so I know how to go into battle and it’s the exact same for all the motorists.”
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